Madrid: IES was not the greatest, but my experience was Past Review
By Margaret B (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: Madrid - IES Abroad in Madrid
Yes absolutely. I had a fantastic time.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Complutense |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were faily good, but the professors were unclear about class expectations and assignments. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The class schedules weren't well done, and the facilities (library, computer labs) were terrible. I felt like I had nowhere to study. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my family, I loved the area in which I lived, it was really quite wonderful. |
| * Food: |
It was really good, but I'm not picky and I'm very open to new things. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Be open to everything and travel! There was so much to do in Madrid, I would say our class trips were a little disappointing. I wish they were longer. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The city is very safe. And our program talked to us a lot about being safe and also being healthy. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | not sure. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I don't think there was anything I didn't anticipate. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My language improved quite a lot because I spent a lot of time speaking with my host family. It is what you make of it, if you're determined to use the language and improve, then you will. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Choose a different program. Also, Madrid is a fantastic place to live. |
